College mulls higher education compact

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A new bill moving through the legislature would allow certain Lake Tahoe Community College students living in Nevada to pay tuition at California rates.

Senator Ted Gaines introduced SB 329 in February to amend an existing section in California’s education code. The bill would exempt students who live in designated communities on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin from paying the nonresident tuition fee.

The college is now tasked with working out a memorandum of understanding between regional higher education centers in both states, LTCC President Kindred Murillo said Monday.

“We’re going to move the bill to a two-year bill so we can build a more solid, long-term strategy,” Murillo said. “We need to take a step back and work with higher education in Nevada.”

In June 2011, the Nevada Board of Regents voted to end the Good Neighbor Policy that allowed students living in Nevada to pay the California resident full-time rate of $1,395 annually. The board claimed the practice cost the state $6 million a year, and Nevada students’ LTCC tuition rose to $7,650.

The goal now is to develop a regional higher education compact to identify areas where institutions such as LTCC, Western Nevada College and even University of Nevada, Reno, could work together, according to Murillo. She estimated the college would need until September to develop the agreement.

“If we try to go state to state again, that’s where it fell through last time,” Murillo said.

The LTCC Academic Senate argues the college, located less than three miles from the state border, is the only public higher education institution in the basin that serves the educational and workforce development needs of the region.

“The Lake Tahoe Basin is a one-of-a-kind geographic, political and economic region comprised of two states, five counties, and multiple cities and municipalities,” the LTCC Academic Senate wrote in a resolution supporting the bill. “Senate Bill 329 is critical to providing access to higher education and workforce training in a rural, isolated community.”

The next hearing for the bill is set for May 1.

In other news

Center hosts Cinco de Mayo party

The Family Resource Center invites community members to its 10th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on Friday, May 3 from 5-10 p.m. at Heavenly’s California Lodge.

Adult tickets cost $25 at the door. Tickets for children 6 to 12 years old cost $10, while admission for children younger than 5 years old is free.

All proceeds raised from the event will benefit family programs and basic services for community members in need.

For more information, call the center at 530-542-0740.

Golf tournament swings into Edgewood this weekend

The Booster Club golf tournament to support South Shore schools will take place Saturday and Sunday at Edgewood Tahoe.

The Zephyr Cove Elementary School has openings in its Integrated Preschool, a program designed for children with developmental delays receiving services under an Individual Education Plan.

The preschool program offers the opportunity for children with disabilities and their typical peers to grow and learn together. If you have concerns about your child’s development or you want you child to act as a peer role model, contact ZCES at 775-588-4574 or the Special Education Department at 775-265-5262.

Kindergarten enrollment begins at ZCES

Zephyr Cove Elementary School is accepting students for its kindergarten class.

To enroll your child in the elementary school or to get more information about the program, contact ZCES at 775-588-4574.

STHS holds cheer, dance tryouts

The South Tahoe High School cheer and dance team tryouts for next school year will take place Friday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the Blue Gym.

The tryout material will be taught during a four-day instructional clinic starting Monday, May 20 from 5-7 p.m in the Gold and Blue gyms.

All potential cheerleaders and dancers must fill out fall athletic clearance paperwork, available at STHS or the middle school. Incoming freshman, juniors or first-time student athletes must get a physical or concussion test prior to the clinic.